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National Veterans Golden Age Games

Patriots on the Plains

REGISTRATION IS OPEN!

You don't want to miss the oportunity to compete with your fellow Veterans.

GET FIT FOR LIFE.

GET REGISTERED TODAY!

Click here for general information before proceeding to the online registration.

About The National Veterans Golden Age Games

The National Veterans Golden Age Games is the premier senior adaptive rehabilitation program in the United States, and the only national multi-event sports and recreational seniors’ competition program designed to improve the quality of life for all older Veterans, including those with a wide range of abilities and disabilities. The VA Challenges and encourages senior Veterans to be proactive in embracing a healthier lifestyle.

The games are open to Veterans, ages 55 or older, who receive health care from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

Dates:

The 2015 National Veterans Golden Games will be held Saturday, August 8 – Wednesday August 12, 2015 in Omaha, Nebraska2015 Event Schedule

If you are interested in learning more about the events that make up the National Veterans Golden Games, these are the organizations that guide the competition and will provide you the information to help prepare for the NVGAG

Media Releases

George Gangi Award Winner

John Martinez had a pinched nerve, took medicine for pain in his legs and attended physical therapy at his local VA medical center in Fresno, Calif.

“I never thought I was going to walk again,” John said.

Then his doctors recommended surgery, something John couldn’t accept. He said, “When I was in the military you could always find me at the gym, and I felt great.”

That’s when a friend told him about Break the Barriers, a program that trains disabled Veterans and provides them with personal care from professional trainers. The program costs the Veteran nothing and is a former recipient of the VA Adaptive Sports Grant Program.
The 62 year old U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Army and California National Guard Veteran threw his cane aside and started training. “I strive for competition,” he said and didn’t want to be seen as any less of a competitor because of his cane.

John began working out his legs and trained for swimming. Feeling confident again, he signed up for the 2013 National Veterans Golden Age Games which was only a month away. Although he didn’t do as well as he hoped in the games, he was determined to do better in 2014.

John competed in swimming, air rifle, precision walking, javelin, shot put, discus, cycling and power walking this year, and medaled in eight out of ten events.
An impressive feat considering that this time last year John was still walking with a cane. Now, he is completely free of all pain medication and able to work out a few hours a day. He spends a lot of his time coaching other Veterans and encourages them to stay active.

“If you want to stay healthy, go to the gym,” he says.

John doesn’t have any plans to slow down. He’s constantly looking for new competition opportunities. He says, “When I didn’t have my health, I felt wounded. Now, I feel normal again.”

Congratulations John Martinez, the 2014 George Gangi Inspiration Award recipient.

The George Gangi Inspiration Award honors the competitor at the National Veterans Golden Age Games who exemplifies the attributes of a true champion through athletic excellence as well as personal qualities such as sportsmanship, leadership, fellowship and tenacity.

Training for the Games

The Games are all about health and fitness, so it is important that Veterans train throughout the year. Just ask George Henry, who served in the Army and Navy. He goes to the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center’s (MEDVAMC) fitness center in Houston, Texas almost daily to train and stay in shape.

Recently, MEDVAMC closed their fitness center briefly, for remodeling. “I didn’t know what to do with myself while the fitness center was closed,” said Henry. “Now that the fitness center is open again, I have a place where I can train for the Golden Age Games.”

Keeping Veterans healthy and fit is a top priority for the Houston VA, and their Veterans make it a priority as well.

“I have been looking forward to the reopening of the fitness center,” said Army Veteran Basil Morehead, who also uses the MEDVAMC fitness center to train for the Games. “I really missed the camaraderie and being able to talk fitness with my fellow Veterans.”

Henry is scheduled to compete in dominoes, horseshoes, shot put, and the 1/2 mile power walk. Morehead’s events include javelin, shot put, discus, dominoes, and air rifle. In the end, it doesn’t matter where you train, just as long as you come ready to compete!